Main circuit breaker or other circuit protective device connector installation kit for panelboards

Abstract

In a panelboard (30) of the type having a main circuit breaker (34) or other circuit protection device and at least one busbar (46, 48, 50) for transmitting electrical power to branch circuit breakers (36) connected thereto, a connector installation kit (78) for connecting a load terminal of a main circuit breaker (34) to a busbar (46, 48, 50) including a self-supporting, insulator housing (160) having at least one recess (166, 168, 170) defined therein; and at least one phase connector (172, 174, 176) having a first portion connected to a load terminal of a main circuit breaker (34) and a second portion connected to the busbar (46, 48, 50).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A field installation kit of parts adapted for connecting a panelboard having a group of at least one busbar to an electrical power source, each of the group of at least one busbar having a dimple projecting therefrom and defining a hole for passage of a fastener therethrough, the kit comprising: a. a plurality of connector units adapted for connection of a circuit protection device to each of the group of at least one busbar, each of the connector units having: i. a self-supporting, insulator housing having a recess defined therein corresponding to each of the group of at least one busbar;   ii. a phase connector corresponding to each of the group of at least one busbar and disposed in a corresponding recess, each phase connector having a first portion adapted for connection to a terminal of a circuit protection device and a second portion adapted for connection to a corresponding one of the group of at least one busbar, the second portion having a notch for capture of the corresponding busbar dimple to inhibit rotation of the phase connector relative to the corresponding busbar and defining a hole for passage of a fastener therethrough, so as to accomplish connection of the group of at least one busbar and the corresponding phase connector; and     each connector unit being dimensioned for attachment of the phase connector first portions to a specific size of circuit protection device and having a specific number of phase connectors corresponding to each busbar in the group of at least one busbar in a designated panelboard.   
     
     
       2. The panelboard of claim 1, wherein the insulator housing has a clamshell construction with two opposing portions which are pivotable relative to each other from an open to a closed position. 
     
     
       3. The panelboard of claim 1, wherein at least one recess has at least one dimple projecting therefrom for reduction of direct surface contact between the insulator housing and the corresponding phase connector. 
     
     
       4. A panelboard comprising: a main circuit breaker;   at least one busbar for transmitting electrical power to branch circuit breakers connected thereto; and   a main circuit breaker connector installation kit for connecting a load terminal of the main circuit breaker to the busbar including: a. a self-supporting, insulator housing having a clamshell construction with two opposing portions which are pivotable relative to each other from an open to a closed position, the housing having at least one recess defined therein; and   b. at least one phase connector retained within the housing recess, having a first portion connected to a load terminal of the main circuit breaker and a second portion connected to the busbar.     
     
     
       5. In a panelboard of the type having: a main circuit breaker; and   at least one busbar for transmitting electrical power to branch circuit breakers connected thereto, the busbar having a dimple projecting therefrom;   a main circuit breaker connector installation kit for connecting a load terminal of the main circuit breaker to the busbar comprising: a. a self-supporting, insulator housing having at least one recess defined therein; and   b. at least one phase connector retained within the housing recess, having a first portion connected to a load terminal of the main circuit breaker, and a second portion connected to the at least one busbar and having a notch for capture of the busbar dimple in order to inhibit relative rotation therebetween.     
     
     
       6. The panelboard of claim 5, wherein the at least one busbar and the at least one phase connector second portion each define a hole for passage of a fastener therethrough, so as to accomplish connection therebetween. 
     
     
       7. In a panelboard of the type having: a main circuit breaker; and   at least one busbar for transmitting electrical power to branch circuit breakers connected thereto;   a main circuit breaker connector installation kit for connecting a load terminal of the main circuit breaker to the busbar comprising: a. a self-supporting, insulator housing having at least one recess defined therein, the recess having at least one dimple projecting therefrom; and   b. at least one phase connector retained within the housing recess, having a first portion connected to a load terminal of the main circuit breaker and a second portion connected to the busbar;     wherein the recess dimple reduces direct surface contact between the insulator housing and the at least one phase connector retained therein.   
     
     
       8. In a panelboard of the type having: a main circuit breaker; and   at least two busbars for transmitting electrical power to branch circuit breakers connected thereto;   a main circuit breaker connector installation kit for connecting load terminals of the main circuit breaker to the respective busbars comprising: a. a self-supporting, insulator housing having a clamshell construction with two opposing portions which are pivotable relative to each other from an open to a closed position, the housing having a recess defined therein for each respective busbar; and   b. a phase connector corresponding to each busbar and disposed in a corresponding recess, each phase connector having a first portion connected to a load terminal of the main circuit breaker and a second portion connected to the respective busbar.     
     
     
       9. In a panelboard of the type having: a main circuit breaker; and   at least two busbars for transmitting electrical power to branch circuit breakers connected thereto, each busbar having a dimple projecting therefrom;   a main circuit breaker connector installation kit for connecting load terminals of the main circuit breaker to the respective busbars comprising: a. a self-supporting, insulator housing having a recess defined therein for each respective busbar; and   b. a phase connector corresponding to each busbar and disposed in a corresponding recess, each phase connector having a first portion connected to a load terminal of the main circuit breaker and a second portion having a notch for capture of the dimple of the corresponding respective busbar when connected thereto, in order to inhibit relative rotation therebetween.     
     
     
       10. The panelboard of claim 9, wherein the at least one busbar and phase connector second portion each define a hole for passage of a fastener therethrough, so as to accomplish connection of the busbar and phase connector. 
     
     
       11. In a panelboard of the type having: a main circuit breaker; and   at least two busbars for transmitting electrical power to branch circuit breakers connected thereto;   a main circuit breaker connector installation kit for connecting load terminals of the main circuit breaker to the respective busbars comprising: a. a self-supporting, insulator housing having a recess defined therein corresponding to each busbar, each recess having at least one dimple projecting therefrom; and   b. a phase connector corresponding to each busbar and disposed in a corresponding recess, each phase connector having a first portion connected to a load terminal of the main circuit breaker and a second portion connected to the respective busbar;     Wherein the recess dimple reduces direct surface contact between the insulator housing the corresponding phase connector retained therein.   
     
     
       12. The panelboard of any one of claims 6, 4, 5, and 7, further comprising: a. at least two recesses defined in the insulator housing; and   b. a phase connector separately disposed in each of the recesses;   the insulator housing adapted for retaining each of the phase connectors in a desired relative alignment for selective connection to respective load terminals and busbars.   
     
     
       13. The panelboard of any one of claims 6, 4, 5, and 7, wherein the insulator housing is constructed of molded thermoplastic. 
     
     
       14. The panelboard of claim 13, wherein the thermoplastic is polypropylene.